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Tank Car Corporation of America

All POLREP's for this site Tank Car Corporation of America
Oreland, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #3
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On-Scene Coordinator - Michael Towle 5/16/2007
Time-Critical - Removal Action Pollution Report (POLREP) #3
Start Date: 1/29/2007
Pollution Report (POLREP) #3
Site Description
The Tank Car Corporation of America Site was the location of a railroad tank car manufacturing and rehabilitation facility operating in Oreland, PA, for most of the 20th century.  The facility is located at the intersection of Walnut Ave. and Oreland Mills Rd. along the railroad tracks.  The facility includes several buildings, a paint shop, and several sidings on which tank cars are still located.

The OSC began evaluating this property in April 2006 by coordinating with entities seeking to sell and/or purchase the property.  The OSC receieved environmental data which indicated that several tank cars and underground tanks (believed to be railroad tank cars) contain hazardous substances. Additionally, the soil and the ground water contain hazardous substances.  Notable contaminants include chlorinated organics (e.g., trichloroethene), napthalene compounds, and ammonia.  

The property continued to be involved with negotiations for potential sale, but no definitive resolution of the waste storage and threats was ultimately resolved. In January 2007, the OSC sought approval for funding for a time-critical removal action and the Region issued a Unilateral Administrative Order for the characterization and removal of the contents of the tanks.

A Response Action Plan was subsequently approved and the Respondent (Tank Car Corporation of America) initiated field sampling activities in April 2007.  EPA is now waiting for data characterizing the hazardous substances and wastes within the tanks.  


Current Activities
Pursuant to the approved Response Action Plan, Respondent has conducted sampling activities intended to characterize the contents of the tanks for disposal.

Planned Removal Actions
Conduct disposal of contents of the tanks.

Next Steps
Await analytical data and complete characterization of materials

Key Issues
the property owner still contends that the property is in the midst of a potential sale.